Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday questioned if opposition BNP wants to come to power by giving guarantee to sell Saint Martin’s island.  “BNP came to power in 2001 by giving undertaking to sell gas. Now they want to sell the country. Or do they want to come to power by undertaking to sell St. Martin’s island?” she said. The premier was addressing a press conference arranged at her official residence Ganabhaban over the outcomes of her recent visits to Switzerland and Qatar.  Hasina said she is the daughter of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and doesn’t want to come to power by selling any resource of this country. “Now if I say that I will lease out St. Martin’s island or our country, there will also be no problem for me to stay in power. I know that,” she said. Read: PM says recent visits to Switzerland, Qatar will accelerate multi-dimensional relations But the PM said she would not allow anyone to play ducks and drakes with the fate of the people of Bangladesh. “We’ll not allow any act like carrying out terrorist activities in any place or attacking anyone by using the land of my country,” she added. “We believe in peace. We believe in peaceful cooperation,” said PM Hasina, adding that Bangladesh didn’t engage in quarrels with Myanmar even after some 11 lakh Myanmar refugees took shelter in Bangladesh. Bangladesh continues negotiation with Myanmar on the issue, she said, adding that her government believes in the policy ‘Friendship to all and Malice towards none.’ “We didn’t go for engaging in fights or quarrels with them (Myanmar),” said the prime minister. Hasina visited Qatar from May 22 to 25 to attend the Qatar Economic Forum-2023 and visited Switzerland from June 13 to 16 to join the "World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All," a summit of ILO.  Read: Coast Guard to be built as a modern force: PM Hasina Replying to a question on election-time government, the prime minister said there is no constitutional scope to hand over power to an unelected government. She said there is a judgment of the higher court that an elected head of government shall be replaced by another elected head of government. And the constitution was also amended accordingly, she added. “Everybody knows it. Why are they trying to create a constitutional crisis even after knowing it? What is the motive? It means to destroy the democratic process,” said the premier. She said the motive to create a constitutional crisis is to destroy the ongoing democratic process and socio-economic progress, which has been continuing for the last 14 years. Now it is up to the people of the country whether they want the continuation of democratic trend, economic development and the welfare of the people or they want again the situation Bangladesh faced during the last caretaker government, she said. Noting that the BNP and some other parties have taken to the streets, the PM wondered what their problem is and where the sources of their finance. She said the upcoming general election will be held on time as per the Constitution and the electoral laws. In reply to another question, Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh will join BRICS in order to reduce dependency on a single bloc in the international stage. Read: DSCC Mayor Taposh urges all to complete animal sacrifice within 2 days of Eid-ul-Azha “We’ll join BRICS as we’ve been engaged since the preparation of its formation. But we could not be a founding member of it. Now we’ve sought to be its member. We want so as we won’t remain dependent on any single one in the international stage,” she said. She said Bangladesh doesn’t want to remain dependent only on dollars, rather it wants to carry out purchasing goods with other currencies as well. Responding to a question regarding inflation and illegal hoarding of goods, the PM said the government is trying to contain inflation to ease the sufferings of the people. She said the government is taking actions against those who are engaged in illegal hoarding of goods, which led to the price-hike of commodities. Answering a question, PM Hasina said the government has taken a decision to provide free foods to 10 million people ahead of the Eid-ul Azha. In reply to a question regarding a campaign over repression toward monitories, the PM said a propaganda started in this regard, which may increase further ahead of the next election. Mentioning that communal harmony prevails in Bangladesh, she asked the people of the country not to pay heed to the false propaganda.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has returned home from Geneva, wrapping up her three-day official visit to Switzerland. A regular flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early Saturday (June 17 at 1:55 am). Earlier, the flight took off from Geneva International Airport at 11:50am local time (3:50pm Bangladesh time) on Friday. The Prime Minister exchanged pleasentaries with the passengers in the flight and inquired about their well-beings. Read: PM leaves Geneva for home ending 3-day visit The PM went to Geneva on June 13 to attend the "World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All" held on June 14 and 15 in the Swiss city. She addressed the plenary session of 'World of Work Summit 2023' at Palais de Nations on Wednesday. The ILO's summit is a high-level forum for global voices to address the need for increased, coordinated and coherent action in support of social justice. The summit brought together over a dozen heads of state and government, high-level representatives from the United Nations, other international organizations, and employers’ and workers’ organizations. Read: Next general election to be held in time: PM Hasina tells Geneva reception Hasina also had two separate meetings with President of South Africa Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa and President of Malta Dr George Vella. Besides, she held meetings separately with UNHCR chief Flippo Grandi, Prince Rahim Aga Khan, President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset and Director General of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Gilbert F. Houngbo there on the day. After the meeting with Swiss President Berset, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Knowledge and Skills enhancement between Bangladesh and Switzerland was signed. In the evening, the PM attended a dinner with high level dignitaries hosted by the ILO Director General at its headquarters. Read: WTO chief meets PM Hasina, wants Dhaka to reduce subsidies on fisheries On June 15, she joined “A talk at the WEF”, followed by a meeting with WEF founder Prof Klaus Schwab at WEF Office. She also addressed an event on “New Economy and Society in Smart Bangladesh” organised by the World Economic Forum (WEF) there. Besides, Qatar Minister of Labour Dr Ali Bin Samik Al Marri and WTO Director General Dr Okonjo-Iweala separately met her at her place of residence. Hasina also attended a civic reception in the evening. Read more: PM takes regular commercial flight on the way home from Geneva, exchanges pleasantries with passengers

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday (June 13, 2023) morning to attend the two-day "World of Work Summit: Social Justice for All" to be held in the Swiss city on June 14-15. A commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10.01 am. The flight is scheduled to land at Geneva International airport at 5:30 pm local time (9:30 pm Bangladesh Time). On June 14, UNHCR chief Flippo Grandi will call on the prime minister at the bilateral room of Hotel President Wilson. Later the PM will call on President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset at Palais de Nations. After the call-on there will be a possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Knowledge and Skills enhancement between Bangladesh and Switzerland. Read: Work together to sustain national development: PM Hasina tells Awami League members In the afternoon, the prime minister will address the Plenary of 'World of Work Summit 2023' at Palais de Nations. On her arrival there, she will be greeted by ADG and Regional Director of ILO. There will be a red carpet reception and Guard of Honour from the gate to the meeting venue. She will also have a call on with President of Malta Dr. George Vella. Read: PM Hasina wants greater cooperation between Bangladesh and Indian armies In the evening, the PM will attend a dinner with high level dignitaries hosted by the DG ILO at its headquarters. On June 15, she will attend the 'A talk at the WEF', followed by a meeting with founder of WEF Prof Klaus Schwab at WEF Office. There, she will address at the event on "New Economy and Society in Smart Bangladesh" organised by the World Economic Forum. In the evening, WTO DG Dr. Okonjo- Iweala will call on her at Hotel President Wilson. She will also attend a community event in the evening. Read: Volatile global situation likely to worsen further: PM Hasina tells parliament Hasina will leave Geneva at 11am on June 16 and she is expected to arrive in Dhaka in the early hours of June 17. "The World of Work Summit 2023: Social Justice for All" is a high-level forum for global voices to address the need for increased, coordinated and coherent action in support of social justice, according to organisers. It will provide an opportunity to discuss and inform the proposal to forge a Global Coalition for Social Justice, which was welcomed by the Governing Body of the International Labour Office at its 347th Session. A number of high-level guests, including former President of France, Francois Hollande, former President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, and the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, as well as representatives of employers and workers, will address the conference. Read: President Erdogan and PM Hasina vow to take Dhaka-Ankara ties to new height